Foaling Checklist

 

Spring is full of life! The grass is starting to grow, pollen is everywhere, and foals are on the way.  Having foals is exciting but can quickly become scary.  The best way to prevent an emergency is to be prepared.  Here is a checklist to help makes sure you are prepared. 

1. Phone Number:  Your emergency and normal veterinarians are saved in your cell phone and posted in the barn. 

1. Make sure that your veterinarians know the relative due date of your mare. Do not hesitate to contact them if you suspect something is not going right. 

2. Thermometer: the key to telling if the temperature of foal/ mare is normal, or if an infection is present 

1. The normal temperature

1. Mare: 99-100 F (37-38 C)

2. Foal: 100-102 F (37.7-38.8 C)

3. Stethoscope: helps indicate heart and respiratory rates

1. Normal Heart Rate

1. Mare: 28-40 bpm

2. Foal: 80-120 bpm

2. Normal Respiration Rate

1. Mare: 8-16 bpm

2. Foal: 20-40 bpm

4. Scissors

5. Flashlight: 

1. Charged batteries

6. Tail wrap:

1.  keep the tail out of the way

7. Obstetrical (OB)  Gloves: 

1. check position or pull (if no progress)

8. OB Lube: 

1. This is essential before checking the position or pulling 

2. KY, J Lube, Livestock Lube

9. Exam Gloves: 

1. handling placenta, 

2. cleaning mare or foal

10. Liquid Soap

11. Umbilical tape or clamp

12. Umbilical cord disinfectant: 

1. Iodine or diluted chlorhexidine 

13. Towels

14. Colostrum

1. Frozen 

2. Replacer

1. Make sure that you get colostrum replacers and not supplements. 

Adapted from  “Tri-state Livestock News: Foaling Checklist”